The Polar Silk Road: China's Arctic Ambitions
On January 26, 2018, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kong Xuanyou unveiled 鈥淐hina鈥檚 Arctic Policy.鈥 The country鈥檚 self-classification as a "Near-Arctic State" is an important step in the region鈥檚 development, and when combined with other objectives indicates rising Chinese ambitions in Arctic affairs. How does a "Polar Silk Road" align with the more expansive Belt and Road Initiative? What opportunities and risks does China鈥檚 aspirations in the Arctic present for the U.S., the region, and the globe?
In this Ground Truth Briefing, a panel of regional experts discussed China鈥檚 emerging Arctic presence.
Selected Quotes
Anne-Marie Brady
鈥淭he [Chinese] State Oceanic Admiration-funded analysis of the Arctic route imagines Shanghai as a new Venice, and China being able to create a new, Sino-centric maritime order in East Asia.鈥
鈥淐hina鈥檚 focus on becoming a polar great power represents a fundamental reorientation 鈥 a completely new way of imagining the world. The polar regions, the deep seabed, and outer space: these are the new strategic territories where China is going to draw the resources to become a global great power.鈥
鈥淚t鈥檚 not a strategy document 鈥 the kind of document that would help to ease concerns about China鈥檚 intentions in the Arctic region 鈥 but, it is very significant, this white paper, as it鈥檚 the first white paper that China has ever issued on a geographic region outside its own territory.鈥
Amb. David Balton
鈥淐hinese activities in the Arctic that I have been involved in have been non-controversial and positive and constructive. That said... I would say that China is trying to assert an enhanced role in the Arctic and the Antarctic region as well.鈥
鈥淚 don鈥檛 actually think that the Arctic states are likely to embrace China鈥檚 invitation to create or adopt the moniker of a 鈥楶olar Silk Road,鈥 even as they may welcome China鈥檚 engagement in some appropriate ways.鈥
Robert Daly
鈥淭he [Chinese white paper] also speaks continually about a 鈥榮hared future for mankind鈥... This is really Xi鈥檚 most important phrase for framing China and China鈥檚 rise -- the role it wants to play in the international order -- as benevolent.鈥
鈥淸The white paper] is also intended for Chinese ears. It reiterates for the Chinese the fact that China鈥檚 leadership is respected, is becoming a leader, and is benign.鈥
鈥淣ote that the last sentence of this document reads like this: 鈥楥hina will advance Arctic-related cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.鈥 That鈥檚 about as important as a preposition can be in this world.鈥
Capt. Lawson Brigham
鈥淚 did find it very interesting that the word 鈥榤ilitary鈥 is not mentioned once throughout the [document], and that鈥檚 maybe positive.鈥
"The Arctic routes today and in the decades ahead are really focused on moving natural resources, particularly out of Russia, to global markets.鈥
Sherri Goodman
鈥淚 see China鈥檚 new Arctic strategy as being like a spider expanding its web, particularly the reference in the strategy to the Arctic being 鈥榰nder the Belt and Road initiative.鈥欌
鈥淪ome have likened [China鈥檚 strategy] to a maritime Marshall Plan, and the latest evidence is the collaboration China is having with Finland on sub-sea cables to create a sort of 鈥楧ata Silk Road.鈥欌
鈥淐hina鈥檚 Arctic strategy clearly signals that they understand the need to marshal all elements of national power in the Arctic. It鈥檚 not clear to me that the U.S. appreciates marshalling all elements of our national power in the Arctic right now.鈥
Michael Sfraga
鈥淚n the United States, we think four seconds long; we think commercials and sound bites and bumper stickers. But the Chinese think in long narratives; they go over decades... [The United States] think[s] about reaction versus being proactive... as we see the polar ice continue to retreat -- and there鈥檚 both opportunity and challenge there.鈥
鈥淎s the Arctic ice continues to retreat, there鈥檚 both opportunity and challenge there. How we best situate our own interests and those of like minds is probably best considered quickly. That doesn鈥檛 mean we鈥檙e pitted against China. I think there are ways we engage with them in a very productive, meaningful dance forward 鈥 and that can be for the good of a lot. But we should not be lulled into a false narrative either way.鈥
Speakers
Professor, University of Canterbury and Executive Editor of The Polar Journal
Fellow, Center for Arctic Study & Policy, U.S. Coast Guard Academy
Author, Threat Multiplier: Climate, Military Leadership & the Fight for Global Security. 聽 聽
Introduction
Moderator
US Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs; Former Chair, US Arctic Research Commission聽
Hosted By
Polar Institute
Since its inception in 2017, the Polar Institute has become a premier forum for discussion and policy analysis of Arctic and Antarctic issues, and is known in Washington, DC and elsewhere as the Arctic Public Square. The Institute holistically studies the central policy issues facing these regions鈥攚ith an emphasis on Arctic governance, climate change, economic development, scientific research, security, and Indigenous communities鈥攁nd communicates trusted analysis to policymakers and other stakeholders. Read more
Kissinger Institute on China and the United States
The Kissinger Institute works to ensure that China policy serves American long-term interests and is founded in understanding of historical and cultural factors in bilateral relations and in accurate assessment of the aspirations of China鈥檚 government and people. Read more